Exodus 8:28 kjv

And Pharaoh said, I will let you go, that ye may sacrifice to the LORD your God in the wilderness; only ye shall not go very far away: entreat for me.

Exodus 8:28 nkjv

So Pharaoh said, "I will let you go, that you may sacrifice to the LORD your God in the wilderness; only you shall not go very far away. Intercede for me."

Exodus 8:28 niv

Pharaoh said, "I will let you go to offer sacrifices to the LORD your God in the wilderness, but you must not go very far. Now pray for me."

Exodus 8:28 esv

So Pharaoh said, "I will let you go to sacrifice to the LORD your God in the wilderness; only you must not go very far away. Plead for me."

Exodus 8:28 nlt

"All right, go ahead," Pharaoh replied. "I will let you go into the wilderness to offer sacrifices to the LORD your God. But don't go too far away. Now hurry and pray for me."

Exodus 8 verses

Exodus 8 28 Meaning

Exodus 8:28 records Pharaoh's grudging concession to Moses, allowing the Israelites to leave Egypt to sacrifice to their God, Yahweh. However, this permission is heavily qualified by a restrictive condition: they must not go "very far away." This shows Pharaoh's intent to keep them under his dominion and prevent full freedom. Additionally, Pharaoh, facing the intense plague of flies, asks Moses and Aaron to "Plead for me," recognizing their ability to intercede with their God on his behalf, though motivated by self-preservation rather than true repentance. The verse captures a critical moment of negotiation where Pharaoh appears to relent but still seeks to control the terms of their release and leverage God's power for his own benefit.

Exodus 8 28 Context

Exodus chapter 8 details three of the ten plagues: frogs, gnats, and flies. Pharaoh's response to these plagues demonstrates his progressively breaking but still stubbornly resistant will. By the plague of flies, the Egyptians are severely distressed, and the plague marks a distinction: only the Egyptians, not the Israelites in Goshen, are afflicted (Ex 8:22-23). This precise targeting signifies God's sovereign control and His partiality towards His people. Prior to verse 28, Pharaoh's first offer was to let them sacrifice "in the land" (Ex 8:25), which Moses refused, stating it would be an abomination to the Egyptians. Pharaoh's subsequent concession in verse 28, allowing them to go into the wilderness, represents a slight softening of his stance. However, his conditional release ("not go very far away") and his request for intercession reveal his desperate attempt to regain control while also acknowledging God's power—yet only to escape the immediate torment, not out of true repentance or reverence for Yahweh. The entire exchange showcases the escalating divine pressure and Pharaoh's unfolding pride and deceit.

Exodus 8 28 Word analysis

• And Pharaoh said: This marks a direct response, highlighting the king's reaction under increasing duress.
• “I will let you go”: הָלֹךְ שַׁלֵּחַ (haloch shalach) - "to go, to send." This implies permission to depart. It's not a willing release but a yielding under duress. This is the first time Pharaoh permits leaving the land, even if conditionally.
• to sacrifice (לִזְבֹּחַ - lizbocḥa): From זָבַח (zavach), meaning to slaughter for a sacrifice, implying an act of worship. This acknowledges the reason for their desired departure. Pharaoh implicitly validates their stated purpose, but still limits it.
• to the LORD your God (לַיהוָה אֱלֹהֵיכֶם - l'YHWH Eloheikhem): This phrase is crucial. Pharaoh names Yahweh as their God, showing recognition of His existence and power specific to Israel, though not necessarily acknowledging Him as the supreme, universal God, which he later claims (Ex 9:27).
• in the wilderness (בַּמִּדְבָּר - bamidbar): This fulfills Moses' original demand (Ex 8:27), allowing for a proper place of sacrifice outside Egyptian religious practices and proximity.
• only (רַק - rak): A strong restrictive particle. It sets up an immediate boundary and signals Pharaoh's manipulative nature, undermining the permission given.
• you shall not go very far away (לֹא תַרְחִיקוּ הַרְחֵק - lo tarḥi·qū harḥēq): Lit. "not far be far." This is a verbal play emphasizing the absolute limitation. The Hebrew emphasizes "making far, very far." This is the core of Pharaoh's control—he grants physical movement but limits the distance, implying a probationary status and continued Egyptian dominion. It reflects a master-slave mentality, where he permits a break but demands quick return. It suggests his desire to quickly recall them, retain military advantage, and prevent any genuine escape or establishment of true independence.
• Plead for me (הַעְתִּירוּ בַעֲדִי - ha'ati·rū va'adi): "Intercede for me." From עָתַר (ʿāthar), "to entreat, pray, make supplication." This is an urgent request for divine intervention on his behalf. Pharaoh, despite his hardness, understands Moses' special relationship with God and relies on Moses' intercession to relieve his suffering. This reveals his self-interest: he seeks God's benefit through Moses, but not true relationship with God himself.

Words-group by words-group analysis:

• "And Pharaoh said, 'I will let you go to sacrifice to the LORD your God in the wilderness;'": This segment indicates a significant shift from his initial outright refusal. He is finally willing to allow the core act of worship in the requested location. However, this is not an act of grace but of weakness, compelled by the escalating plagues. It subtly acknowledges God's specific demands but does not surrender to His full authority.
• "only you shall not go very far away.": This crucial clause reveals Pharaoh's manipulative strategy. He aims to retain control and the potential to reclaim his Israelite labor force. This is not genuine freedom but a conditional parole. It demonstrates his ongoing defiance against God's unconditional command and his continued attempt to negotiate the terms of divine will. This partial release is designed to keep them bound to his power, showing his resistance to their true liberation.
• "Plead for me.": This direct command underscores Pharaoh's recognition of Moses's divine connection, yet it is purely pragmatic and self-serving. He desires relief from the current plague's torment, not genuine reconciliation with Yahweh. This plea highlights the difference between temporary remorse under duress and genuine repentance that leads to submission to God. It indicates his understanding of Moses' power as an intermediary, yet he fails to recognize the greater power and authority of Yahweh over all things, including himself.

Exodus 8 28 Bonus section

The Hebrew phrasing "לא תרחיקו הרחק" (lo tarḥi·qū harḥēq), literally "not far you-make-far," uses a verbal root (רח״ק - rachak) and a cognate infinitive absolute. This intensifies the meaning, emphasizing Pharaoh's absolute prohibition on them going "very, very far." It suggests his intention was not just "not a long distance," but rather "not so far that they might escape." This subtle linguistic choice paints a more vivid picture of Pharaoh's cunning and control. His request "Plead for me" contrasts sharply with God's ultimate desire for His people to "serve Him" (Ex 7:16, 8:1). Pharaoh seeks God's favor only to alleviate personal discomfort, while God demands complete worship and allegiance. This sets the stage for a dramatic conflict between two wills, one ultimately self-serving and the other redemptive.

Exodus 8 28 Commentary

Exodus 8:28 succinctly captures Pharaoh's deepening desperation combined with his entrenched defiance. Under the severe pressure of the plague of flies, he makes a calculated concession. For the first time, he grants permission to leave Egypt to worship, a critical step that acknowledges Israel's unique relationship with their God and their need to worship outside the contaminated land. However, his qualification "only you shall not go very far away" immediately reveals the insincerity of his promise. This limitation signifies his fundamental refusal to grant true freedom and his persistent desire to maintain control over Israel's destiny and labor. This act of "letting go" is a thinly veiled attempt to keep them within easy reach, illustrating his conditional and manipulative heart.

Pharaoh's subsequent plea, "Plead for me," underscores his pragmatism and fear, not spiritual transformation. He acknowledges Moses' ability to influence God to remove the plague but seeks no deeper relationship with the divine himself. This act reflects a common human tendency to call upon God in distress purely for relief, without genuine repentance or a willingness to submit to His will. This pattern of concession under du duress, followed by renewed hardening, will characterize Pharaoh's actions throughout the remaining plagues, establishing a recurring theological theme of God's power to expose human pride and the futility of resistance to His sovereign will.